I Don’t Know Much: Golf Fashion Thoughts from a Non-Golfer

Before I start diving into the topic at hand, and you start wondering who this idiot talking is, let me first introduce myself. My name is Derek (@derekRL24) and I’m not a golfer.   To say I loosely pay attention to golf might be an overstatement. Yes, I’m one of those people who hear golf mentioned and ask how Tiger is doing. Kara asked me to write this post because I’m a huge sports fan and I write a blog that revolves around a lot of uniform design discussion.  It’s not fancy, but it’s funny.  You can check it out at Rants and Raves from a Sports Junkie: derekrl24.blogspot.com  Now, on with the rant.

Every year, the one golf event I pay close attention to is The Masters (casual fan alert, no one should be surprised). Therefore, I figured I should probably discuss the looks seen this year at the Masters, since everyone else was. Forgive me if I missed something good, while I was flipped over to soccer or hockey. I’m will point out some pieces I would wear and some that you couldn’t pay me to wear.

Let’s start with adidas. They had an interesting marketing concept. The world recognized brand (I am a soccer fan so, respect) had all their golfers wearing the same apparel lineups for the week (almost, thank you Jason Day for the screw up).

As a non-golfer, I love the idea being able to incorporate a team uniform. I just didn’t really care for the execution of this attempt. Green is an interesting color to work with. Some colors can go with anything, but this green is definitely not one of them.  For me, the Thursday look, using on a lime green accent, was just a little too strong.  However, I really like the reverse on Sunday, with lime as the dominant color and white accenting.  I would wear it.  The Friday look was bland and boring, something someone’s dad would wear on the local municipal course. The Saturday look seemed ok for a regular weekly event, but not something I’d wear at The Masters. It was simple with no color. I think you need some color for The Masters simply because of the time of year and the event itself.  Show off your creativity adidas!

Next up on the list is Nike (Further proof I know nothing about golf fashion. Starting with Nike and adidas) Basically, I’ll just discuss the two big dogs on Nike’s golf payroll, Tiger and Rory:

Let’s get this one out the way: Tiger on Sunday is classic and I have nothing bad to say about it. I know it’s been the same for years, but that is the whole point. Besides the Sunday Tiger uniform, his Friday shirt was the only other decent item he wore for the weekend. Tiger really just played it safe the whole weekend.  I can respect the simplicity, but come on Nike, step it up!  You know the entire world was watching that canvas.   

Rory didn’t step out of the box too much either.  Thursday was boring, Friday and Saturday are really good, and Sunday is back to boring. I actually really like Friday’s style. It is not too crazy, and the look is something I would wear, even off the golf course.  I really like those electric blue pants.  Saturday is a great example of how to use color to turn a simple concept into something really interesting.

And then there is Rickie Fowler.  Rickie definitely tries harder than any golfer to make an impression. The problem with this is the impression he makes is not always well-received. The all green on Thursday was just awful.   It wasn’t even a shade of green that stood out well on the golf course.  As stated earlier, green is a tough color to work with and should be used carefully. I like the idea of Friday’s look, but I am not a fan of the fade from blue to green.  All green on the front would have looked much better.  Even though Kara would strongly disagree (she hate this Puma shirt), Saturday is his best look by far, and that’s not saying much. It is something I’d wear, but with a hat that has a bent bill. Rickie, enough with the flat billed hats, you are a golfer not a hip hop star.  As for Fowler’s Sunday staple?  If anyone has ever read my blog, you would know how I feel about orange. There is an application process for orange to be allowed for use. Rickie’s Sunday look would not make it past step one in that process.  I don’t care what college you went to, horrible doesn’t begin to describe the all orange look. 

Finally, how boring was Adam Scott’s winning look?!

I guess Adam wasn’t expecting to win going into the weekend with that choice of apparel. It is beyond bland. You’re at Augusta! One of the most beautiful places anyone will ever see and Uniqlo (whoever that is) chose to put him in simple grey and white.  Someone needs to introduce him to a fashion advisor.  Kara, send in your resume STAT!  Yes, I would wear this if I was out golfing, but I would never wear it during a round at The Masters.  Augusta is too big, too important, and most of all, too beautiful to waste a day wearing boring stuff like this.

Whew! Rant done.  Just some thoughts from a non-golfer, on what a few guys wore at likely the only golf event I will watch this season.  I’ve spent time discussing and complaining about uniforms in other sports, so I thought I’d give golf the old college try.  Hey Adam, Tiger, and the rest of you tour guys, if any of you are reading this, don’t be offended, I am totally clueless anyway. 

Come Dressed to Play

 
If you are gonna set foot on Augusta National you better come dressed to play.  I don't care if you are just a junior high kid, you should have your best apparel laid out to for the walk of a lifetime.  Now, Matt Kuchar didn't get this memo (yellow hat, simple light blue polo and khaki pants had Kuch looking like the dad from three houses down), but 14-year old Chinese amateur Tianlang Guan did.  Not only did the youngest golfer ever to play in a Masters, earn lowest amateur accolades for the week, and demonstrate his maturity and class after being accessed a slow-play penalty, he walked the fairways as one of the best dressed in the Masters field.  Guan wore Sligo Wear this week in Augusta, and proved that no matter how old you are, you can make a powerful statement in style.  Guan also wore Sligo as he secured the title of Asia Pacific Amateur Champion to earn his spot in the Masters, last November in Bangkok.  Sligo was also represented this week by staff member and 2013 Humana Challenge Champion, Brian Gay, who wore my personal favorite Masters apparel lineup.  Congrats to Sligo Wear for and Tianlang Guan for making the cut!  Thanks kid, for the lesson in sportsmanship and in coming dressed to play.   

Learn more about Sligo Wear: http://www.sligowear.com/ or follow on Twitter @sligowear

Masters of Social Media

It’s Masters week!  I actually just finished my fantasy golf picks for the week.  Anyone got Ian Woosnam?  Anyone ever heard of Ian Woosnam?  He won the Masters in 1991, and I still had no clue who he was.  Perhaps the biggest buzz outside of simply talk of Augusta National and the players in this year’s field, is what those players will be wearing this week.  Their “script”, even though for some reason that term really annoys me.  Anyone remotely interested in golf fashion is noting what brands such as Puma, Nike and Ralph Lauren RLX have prepared for their tour pros to wear in the 2013 Masters.  

Take a side step from the Deep South with me for a moment, across the border to the north.  Amidst the biggest golf week of the year and arguably the largest golf fashion show, other than the Ryder Cup, a budding Canadian golf apparel company launched their online store.  The only thing is, Social Era worked hard for months to make sure they were not the Ian Woosnam of the industry.  

Even before Social Era officially “opened up shop” in January 2013, the company began perhaps their greatest marketing and brand awareness effort.  Social Era made it their mission to win over as many interested golfers as possible, via social media, Twitter in particular.  “Our initial goal was to try and grow awareness of a new brand in a new way.  We wanted to take advantage of social media and use it to help introduce Social Era to all of the 'connected' golfers out there,” says founder Gerry MacDonald.   

The plan included sending out their signature brightly-colored silicone belts each time Twitter followers reached 100 count milestones.  To date, Social Era has mailed out 450 free belts to followers and will continue to do so each 100 followers.  The belts, $20 in value, have a 4cm strap that is infused with vanilla scent and a plastic buckle in the same color as the strap.  “While the belts are a very small part of what we do, they allowed us to reach many consumers, since the belts are gender neutral, fit up to a 48" waist and are trim to fit.  It was the best product that we found that would appeal to the largest number of our followers on twitter,” MacDonald says.

So how does sending out a few hundred belts make Social Era a master of anything?  Doesn't just having the word "social" in their name boost their credibility in the area of social media expertise?  Consider this, Social Era currently has approx 3,055 Twitter followers.  That is within a couple hundred followers of the IZOD Twitter handle.  They have far more followers than most companies that specialize only in golf apparel and even sponsor members of the PGA Tour or European Tour.  It is a great accomplishment and will no doubt pay off for Social Era.  Stated on Social Era website is the following acknowledgement:  “Our company has been made by our consumers and we love to interact with our fans via social media.  Please check us out on Twitter @socialeragolf.”      

Social Era offers fresh new designs at affordable pricing.  Not hard to appeal to golfers with that being the case, eh?!  When you add their customer interaction and appreciation through social media, it makes the company even easier to support.  A few Canadian golf courses had already begun carrying the collection, and a few mini-tour golfers had been wearing the brand, by the time the anticipated Social Era online store launched on April 6, 2013.  Shirts and belts are currently available for purchase and pants will also be available very soon.  

So, take in the pageantry of Masters week.  Marvel at the heavenly golf course views and the perfectly laid out apparel choices of each golfer in the field.  Also, take time to check out Social Era.  They are much deserving of a good look and the masters of social media, when it comes to golf apparel. 

   

If you haven’t already, follow @socialeragolf on Twitter and check out their website at: http://www.socialera.com/

Get Acquainted

You may, or may not, have not heard of Ted Potter, Jr. or Georgia-based apparel company Oxford Golf, but it’s time to get acquainted with both.  The two have formed a new partnership for the 2013 PGA Tour season, and are hoping it will increase the likelihood you take note of their already established presence in the world of golf.  

Potter and Oxford have in common a pretty solid resume.  Potter began his PGA tour career in 2012 and already has one PGA championship to boast of, with a win at the 2012 Greenbrier Classic.  The 29-year-old from Ocala, Florida, has three finishes inside the top 25 this season including a top ten finish at the Northern Trust Open in February.  Potter may not be a PGA superstar, but he has still shown he is on tour to compete and be noticed.        

Oxford Golf has been in existence for over 60 years, and adds style to fairways at every level of the game.  “Oxford Golf is thrilled to add a rising star such as Ted Potter, Jr., to our already outstanding list of golf professionals,” says Dave Leveille, President, Oxford Golf.  Oxford is also worn by 2001 PGA Championship winner and 13-time PGA Tour winner, David Toms. The LSU grad has had a loyal partnership with Oxford since 2004.  Oxford has a few other noteworthy ambassadors, including Web.com Tour pro John Peterson, also an LSU grad, and even Sirius/XM Radio host, Brian Katrek.  

Potter will be wearing Oxford Golf apparel, with a left chest Oxford Golf logo, at all remaining 2013 PGA Tour events, including the Masters.  “After carefully considering my clothing options, I decided on Oxford Golf because of the classic style of the apparel, coupled with the performance fabrics,” Potter says.  “Partnering with Oxford Golf is a great fit because I can be confident that what I’m wearing will not only look great, but also help me play at my best level.”  

Oxford expresses that their apparel “richly personifies the same sophistication, tradition and performance as the game of golf itself.”  The collection is definitely traditional and on the conservative side of golf fashion, yet adds finishing touches, such as the Cavan Belt, that are worth a second glance.  The sophisticated Cavan belt is braided with leather trim.  The stretch in this belt allows it to move with you as you swing.  Oxford’s polos are made of  stretch jersey CoolMax® fabric, which features the right amount of Spandex to create comfortable and well-performing quality, while wicking moisture away from the skin to leave you cool and dry.  The Oxford Golf polo also has an anti-microbial finish that repels odor. (This is a good thing guys.)  So, you may have not heard of Ted Potter, Jr. or Oxford Golf until now, but you should definitely take some time to get acquainted with both.  For one, you may need to give Potter a nod in your fantasy golf league this season.  You also might want to stock up on a few Oxford Golf pieces in fresh spring colors for your next golf outing.  Looking sharp just might help you get acquainted with someone else of interest on the golf course, or at the 19th hole!      Check out Oxford Golf: http://www.oxfordgolf.com/ Follow Ted Potter, Jr. 2013 Season: http://www.pgatour.com/players/player.27556.ted-potter-jr-.html  White Cavan Belt Downings Polo in Purple Rain  Belfield Polo in Sea Breeze

Powerful Partnership: Iliac Golf & Jimmy Walker

So much of life is about relationships.  Surrounding yourself with people that are well suited to help you enjoy life, accomplish your goals and put forth your best.   One of the most important things to develop in life is strong, successful partnerships.  It seems Jimmy Walker is a man that understands this notion. 

Prior to the 2013 season, Walker’s agent, Thomas Parker, expressed that he really wanted Walker to “stand out” on tour and wear a unique apparel line that would help him do so.  It’s simple product marketing.  Like it or not, the tour pro is a product, a brand.  One of a golfer’s objectives must be to find ways to stand out and create a style that will increase their brand awareness.  So, I give Walker credit for partnering with an agent that is not only smart, but knew the absolute best choice for Walker in an apparel company to achieve this goal.  Parker got Walker connected with Bert LaMar, founder of Iliac Golf, creating one powerful partnership. 

 Beginning in 2011, the face of Iliac golf on the PGA Tour was 2007 Masters Champion, Zach Johnson.  After, two years, Johnson moved his agreement to Oakley, along with 2012 Masters Champ, Bubba Watson.  Johnson was a fantastic ambassador for Iliac, as the classic style fit his character perfectly.  This void left LaMar in need of another tour representative, one that would help his brand continue to flourish.  The doors opened on both sides, and I am positive there is no one on tour more fitting for this role with Iliac than Jimmy Walker.  Actually, I’m not sure who benefits the most from this alignment, which solidifies the partnership even more.    

“It's been a pleasure and honor to work with, play golf with and become friends with JW this year,” says LaMar.  “Jimmy embodies all the qualities I look for in a player. There are lots of guys with talent, but Jimmy is a first class gentleman, professional, family man and most important he is a pure golfer.”  LaMar continues, “Jimmy is serious about all aspects of golf including his equipment, fitness and apparel. Together we are pushing the envelope in design, style and function.”

In 2012 Walker had six top ten finishes and only five missed cuts.  He is a fun player to watch and has a lot of grit.  However, Parker was wise to suggest Walker needed to do more to propel himself into a golfer people would easily recall.  Walker has had a strong start in 2013, finishing inside the top 25 in four out of six events, no missed cuts and a third place finish at Pebble Beach.  Some TV time has definitely been earned, and Walker has looked so sharp in his custom made Iliac threads, there has surely been ROI for LaMar.  I know for a fact, at least one new Iliac fan has come from this unity. 

Perhaps, Walker has no stronger partnership than that of his headstrong and lovely wife Erin Walker.  (Quite entertaining to follow on Twitter @tourwifetravels)  The opinion of a wife always weighs heavily when it comes to what a man is wearing, after all, she knows best what works for her husband and what does not.  “So far, we have LOVED the clothing,” says Erin.  “Iliac has been great about supplying Jimmy with plenty of items.  Golfers are pretty hard on their apparel, so it’s great that Bert has been so accommodating.   Plus, everything is custom made for Jimmy so it fits perfectly!” 

Erin likes the Iliac style so much, she has convinced LaMar to create a few works of art for her to hit the fairways in, as she supports her husband on the road.  Erin expressed, “We are really happy with the relationship (with Iliac) so far, now if I can just get Bert to make some great, slim fitting women's stuff!”   Attention ladies, we will be reaping the benefit of this persuasion.  I already have a fabulous Iliac Rancher polo on delivery and, you should order yours right away too.   

It’s important to develop strong, successful partnerships in life.  LaMar has built a fine group of brand representatives for Iliac in addition to Walker, including new sponsorship agreements with PGA Tour pros Jin Park and Matt Jones.  There is also a growing group of pro golfers using the elite collection of personalized Iliac leather head covers.  The powerful partnership of Jimmy Walker with Iliac Golf will only continue to grow the awareness of both brands involved, and in the business of golf, that is the goal.  Finding those you can partner with to achieve your goals, is success.  

Follow and learn more about Iliac Golf Apparel @IliacGolf http://www.iliacgolf.com/ 

Follow and support Jimmy Walker @JimmyWalker PGA http://www.pgatour.com/players/player.25632.jimmy-walker.html